Barbie can finally hold a conversation, but she hasn't got much to say

Mattel have announced that Barbie is set for a digital makeover with the release of an internet-connected doll that uses wi-fi and speech-recognition software to respond to conversation from your kids.

The global toy-making conglomerate has partnered with US start-up ToyTalk to develop Hello Barbie.

"The number one request we hear from girls around the world is that they want to have a conversation with Barbie.

"Now, for the first time ever, Barbie can have a two-way conversation," a spokeswoman for Mattel said.

On top of her ability to converse, Barbie will be able to tell jokes, play games and remember information, and her internet connectivity means the company can push new data to the wireless device to ensure she remains "on trend".

But for all of her state-of-the-art capabilities, Barbie's conversation — demonstrated in the video above — is barely better than what The Simpsons animators imagined in 1994.

Years ago, trail-blazing feminist Lisa Simpson wondered what Malibu Stacy — The Simpsons version of the real-world Barbie doll — would say if she could talk.

When a talking Malibu Stacy finally hit shelves, Lisa was bitterly disappointed by her brainless and sexist remarks — "Don't ask me, I'm just a girl!" — leading her to create a new and far more inspiring doll, Lisa Lionheart.

In a case of art imitating life, on New York City, Hello Barbie exclaims "I love the food! Where else can you find so many types?!"

A lot of places, Barbie. A lot.

The new release comes after shaky couple of months for Mattel, where the latest offering from their Barbie: I Can Be… children's book series was widely criticised for implying that girls can't be successful in male-dominated science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields without assistance from male friends or colleagues.

What's more, Cayal — a similar doll that uses speech-recognition software and Google's translation tools to enable conversation — was released by Vivid Toy group in November, and was quickly found to have serious flaws by a leading security researcher.

Ken Munro discovered a vulnerability that meant the doll's software could be hacked to regurgitate any number of profanities in conversation with kids.

While Mattel is yet to confirm a release date for their digital doll, it's expected to retail for around $95.

Perhaps, for now, all the engaging things Barbie might say are best left up to the imagination.